pool time!

Why are these little boys so excited to be in their swim trunks in February? Because we live in a magical land called Miami, and the weather is perfect for swimming.

Grandma took them to our pool (in our apartment complex), and they were SO excited. This was the first day of MANY, I am sure. Actually, they are at the pool right now, as I type this. :)

They all had fun splashing and playing. There are steps going into it and a ledge that runs around the whole thing, which is nice. Both boys got into it and were SO SO SO sad when they had to leave.

new baby

Hawken is now OLDER than Matix was when baby Hawken was born... Matix was only 14 months, 2 weeks and 5 days old when Hawken made his debut. :) It is crazy to see him now and realize how little Matix really was when he became a big brother. I am so happy we had them so close together, they are best friends and make our lives so rich. In another 200 days (or so) a new baby will be here... We are so excited for this new adventure. I have to say, I like the boys being so close, but I think it will be nice having an almost 2 year old next time a new baby joins us.

In other baby related news, this baby is doing just fine. It is measuring BIGGER than it is supposed to be (which is a good thing for now). It's heart rate is always very strong and easy for the doctor to find. I am still on bed rest, but the doctor seems optimistic that I may be done with it soon. I am also gaining plenty of weight (which is a GREAT thing, and usually hard for me to do... I guess doing NOTHING, but still eating the same/more is the key). So all in all, things are good. I am tired and still sick, but they said I would be until the cyst stops bleeding, which will be another few weeks at least. But really feeling good about the situation. Stacy can stay as long as we need her (thank you thank you thank you Stacy!), the boys love it here, Paul is doing well in school... What more can we ask for?

the cake pop fiasco

I attempted to make cake pops... Key word is attempted. This is how I made them...

1. Bake a cake from a box.
2. Let it cool overnight, then crumble it up and mix it with 1 container of frosting.
3. Refrigerate for a few hours.
4. Roll into balls.
5. Melt chocolate or candy melts (I used red candy melts, because the white chocolate wasn't cooperating).

---this is where it all went wrong---

6. Get the melted candy on the cake balls... I tried dipping, rolling, even pouring it over the top, but nothing turned out very cute... Stacy even tried on a later batch, but she couldn't get it to work well either... Maybe we will try chocolate again later and have some luck.

7. Let them cool for an hour.

8. Put cake balls on a candy stick to make it a "pop".

9. Eat and enjoy your delicious (and ugly, if you have my luck) cake pops.

They were really tasty, and I had hoped to bring some for a friend who was having a birthday party for her little girl, but they turned out too ugly to share. :) So we ate them ourselves... Maybe next time they will be pretty. Please ignore the huge mess on Hawken from his dinner. :) He really gets into his food.

Valentine's Day

We got the boys these cute unfinished wooden trucks a while back. I found them at Michael's for less than a dollar. They became the boy's Valentine's gifts.

They got to paint them any colors they wanted, and both had a great time doing it. Hawken also tasted the paint, yum! Here are the end results. Cute.

Then we made Daddy's Valentine. It was a canvas painting with their handprints. If you make the handprint with your fingers close together, and then the other hand overlapping a little, it makes a little heart. So sweet for Valentine's Day huh? :)

For Paul's Valentine's Day from me, I took him to see Alvin Ailey. It was Paul's first time seeing them in person, although I have shown him hundreds of videos before... :) It was gorgeous and amazing and a wonderful night. We did have to use the elevator because after a few hours of sitting and not laying down, I was tired and hurting. It was a good night though and definitely worth it. Oh, and we went out to eat before hand too, which was amazing. I love going out to eat... If only we could afford to go more often, or have a live in babysitter ALL THE TIME. :) Paul really enjoyed it too, although I felt a little guilty that that is what I picked for his present because I think I loved it just as much as he did, if not more. :)

The boys picked out a hot pink nail polish for me and Stacy painted my toenails, a big step for me with anyone, to let them touch my feet. :) It was very nice, and then the boys got their nails painted too. Theirs has already worn off, but mine still looks good. Thanks!

Paul got me the royal treatment... I have yet to cash in on all my prizes, because of the bed rest, but here is what is in my future, already paid for and ready to go when I am: a 30 minute facial, manicure, pedicure, haircut and style, facial peel and waxing session. FUN!! I love all that stuff. I am so excited to have enough energy to go in for my day/days of beauty treatments. The salon and spa that he set all this up at is very fancy, and I can hardly wait. This is what I love about Paul, he is so thoughtful and sweet. What pregnant girl doesn't want to feel pampered and pretty? :) I love you Paul, thanks for another great Valentine's Day!

silly

Directly after bath... well that means it's time for nakey trick riding, of course! :)

Is this child related to Paul in any way? Not so much the nakey part, but the fact that he is 14 months old and is already trying to do tricks like this. He can let go with his hands too, but that was a lot more exposing, so I won't publicly blog with those pics. :)

choo-choo

Miami has so many fun free children's activities. Our calendar is full of things to do. At the beginning of the month there was a free day at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum.

Although the boys do love trains, I was skeptical at how much they would be able to do, being so little... BUT, I was happily surprised at how child friendly this place was. The could climb on and touch and play with anything they wanted to. It is always nice to go places and not have to tell them "the rules"... Don't touch this, stay away from that, etc. The first thing we did was ride on a REAL train. The highlight of Matix's day, for sure. :)

Doesn't Hawken look so big here?! He was not excited about waiting for it to start, but was happy once we got going.

The train ride took us around the grounds so we could see all the fun old trains they have. You could walk back there too and climb in any of them if you wanted too also.

After the train ride was finished, we found some trains to explore in and on. I was mostly just taking pictures, or sitting and watching them play (don't worry Grandma Evie, I am taking it easy, I promise :)

This wheel was HUGE. I tried to get a picture of Matix in front of it too, but he was WAY too busy to pose for me. Here is Hawken posing for me, I said, "put your arms out, show me how big the train is" He is so smart. And keep in mind that he is about 3 feet in front of the wheel.

Inside some of the trains, they have them set up museum style. The boys had SO much fun running around and trying everything out.

The last stop was this indoor part. There were tons of train tables set up with little trains, people, trees, etc. The boys had SO SO SO much fun at this place. I can't even tell you. The whole day, Hawken kept saying, "Choo-choo! Choo-choo? Choo-choo-choo-choo....." No other words, just choo-choo. :) Matix couldn't keep still, Grandma got her workout that day for sure. :)

And little kids in conductor's hats... What can be cuter than that?!

Valentine's Day

Grandma Stacy got a HUGE package from Grandpa Lee (obviously missing his wifey for Valentine's Day).

Matix and Hawken were equally excited about her presents. :) She got a bear (now named Ms. Bear), chocolates, flowers, bubble bath and other bath things... So fun! :)

Hawken enjoyed the chocolates the best.

thoracic surgery rotation

Paul is now doing a thoracic surgery rotation... He, of course, loves every minute of every experience he has... ever. I, however, am in pain just thinking about some of the stories from his day today that he relayed to me over dinner. Paul is a good storyteller, and anyone who knows him, can attest to how into his stories he gets. He is very involved, detailed, expressive, and graphic. Today he was part of a surgery, and I mean, scrubbed in, gowned up, hands ON the patient, using tools to separate ribs manually, blood gushing from punctured arteries, the works. I think he will make a great doctor, but I sincerely hope he won't be a surgeon of any kind. I don't think my stomach could take this on a daily basis. :)

baby doll stroller

The latest craze has been to hook the baby doll stroller over the rear wheels of the trike, load Hawken in the back and Matix pulls him all over the place. :) So funny. They both really love it.

They have also loved to go on rides in their baby strollers. Side note: they chose their stroller colors by themselves, although hot pink and purple weren't my first choice for my sons, I'm okay with it. :)

Thank goodness Grandma has so much patience and energy, because I was tired just watching her push them around for the half an hour they were doing this that day... Wow.

timeout

Grandma got a big present from Grandpa for Valentine's Day (pics on that to come). When she was opening her gift, she made a little mess on the floor. Matix noticed it right away, and said, "Oh Grandma! Big mess, timeout grandma!" (in a very serious voice)... Grandma complied, and went to timeout.

She waited there and Matix watched her for a couple minutes, then he said, "Okay, stand up." She did and he proceeded to run through the entire timeout routine.

Telling her why she was on timeout, telling her to say sorry, and to be good. It was SO cute, and a little shocking that he knows it that well. We do use timeouts, but it's not like he spends all day there...

lost turtle

The other day Stacy ran in from outside and said, "Boys! I found a turtle!!"... I was thinking, huh? in the parking lot? Well, they all ran out, and I grabbed the camera. Sure enough, right outside the door was this turtle! A guy leaving the complex spotted it too and was going to bring it to the park, but Stacy grabbed it first so the boys could get a closer look. Even Hawken got up close and touched it.

It was very cool. I guess this happens fairly often here, that turtles get lost and wander around... and I am very thankful that it wasn't a lost alligator. :)

shower trouble

We had our shower stop working, and our lovely AMERICAN landlady got someone out right away to get it fixed for us. Hooray hooray! Not only did they have to replace parts, but they had to open up the wall and then re-tile afterward. Which they did in 1 day. WOW! I love America, and how quickly they get things done here. The guy who was working on it didn't speak english, but Matix was FASCINATED by him. :) He stood in the bathroom talking to him and watching him the entire time he worked.

"Hey guy?! Whatcha doin'? Guy? Huh? Guy? Whatcha doin'??" The guy never answered him, he never even looked up, just kept working, so Matix just got louder. :)

new ward

Today we had our "Stake Conference" at church. All the little wards and branches get together and meet. It was crazy how many people were there. They talked about the plans for a new temple to be built here in southern Florida, and that seems to be coming along nicely, although they were hesitant to give an actual date of ground breaking. They also announced a very cool new thing. Here in Florida, there are TONS of spanish speakers, and TONS of non spanish speakers (like myself). Up until today, we had separate wards. I think, more for convenience. BUT, in the way of inclusion, it felt very separate. They announced that all the old wards and branches will be dissolved and in their place will be combined wards. Hooray! There will be headsets available for anyone who is not bilingual, and the speakers each week will be a mix of spanish or english... I am so excited about this. I think it is a great idea, and I am excited to meet some more new people. I am also happy to say, that also means we will be going to a church building closer to our house, AND... drumroll please... it will be at 10am!! I love earlier church, I would love it more if it were even earlier, but 10 sounds good to me! :)

story time

Every night we read books with the boys after their bath. It is a nice somewhat calm (depending on who is doing the reading...) activity to settle them down before bed. The other night I took pictures of Paul reading, and decided that he is by far the best story teller in this family. :) The boys just eat up every little thing he does. He will add silly voices and tones, make the book jump around, and if the boys only knew the faces he made while reading, they would love it that much more. :) I love my boys, all three of them. :)